Project or Thesis I (STAT7019)

Course overview

Research project/thesis report on topic in research field as recommended by supervisor and approved by Head of School. Students commencing in Semester 1 enrol in STAT7018 for Semester 1 and Semester 2; students commencing in Semester 2 enrol in STAT7019 for Semester 2 and the following Semester 1.

This courseﾠinvolves work and study on a topic in Statisticsﾠunder the guidance of a faculty member of the School ofﾠ Mathematics and Physics. Student may also have one or more co-supervisors from other schools of UQ, or other universities.ﾠThe most important part of the project involves reading and understanding recently developed mathematics and statistics from the research literature (i.e. reading papers in academic journals), and writing a report or thesis.ﾠDepending on the area of specialisation, the project could involve applying these ideas in a new area or to a new problem.ﾠIt may also involve comparing different approaches and techniques, or giving a coherent exposition of results scattered around the research literature.

Although it is particularly exciting if a student produces new publishable results,ﾠit is not required at this level.ﾠHowever a good project should be of interest to otherﾠmathematicians and statisticians and provide a good explanation and description of current research.

ﾠ Over the two semesters of their enrolment students will:

• submit a progress report midway through the project;ﾠ
• give aﾠ25 minute talk to students and staff of SMP in the latter part of their enrolment;
• submit a final report (or thesis) at the end of the second semester;
• attend anﾠinterview (defense of the thesis) to enable two examiners to askﾠquestions about the project.

To find a topic, students usually ask members of the Mathematics or Statistics Discipline working in areas of interest for suggestions.ﾠThey are then free to select the most interesting topic.ﾠMore information about research in SMP can be found from the postgraduate coursework coordinator.ﾠ

ﾠ

MSc students enrolled in STAT7013 must complete their project in one semester.ﾠ If the project is to extend over two semesters then the students must enrol in either STAT7018ﾠ(for the projects starting from Semester 1) or STAT7019 (for the projects starting from Semester 2).

Course requirements

Assumed background

A background in mathematics and/or statistics which the project supervisor deems sufficient to work on the project.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

Permission of Head of School

Restrictions

Permission of Head of School

Course contact

Timetable

Additional timetable information

Students will usually meet with their advisor every week.

Aims and outcomes

To read and understand recently developed mathematics and statistics from the research literature and to explain this material in a seminar and a written report or thesis. 

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Progress Report

Mode

Written

Category

Project

Weight

15%

Due date

4/11/2024

Other conditions

Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02

Task description

Submission guidelines

Electronic version required, preferably in PDF format. The file is to be submitted to the Blackboard system.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

MSc Seminar

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Presentation

Weight

10%

Due date

The precise date will be advised in the second semester of enrollment.

Other conditions

Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03

Task description

Submission guidelines

Seminar should be video recorded. The video record may be submitted to the Blackboard, or saved by the supervisor by one year.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

MSc Thesis

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project, Thesis

Weight

70%

Due date

9/06/2025

Other conditions

Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Submission guidelines

Electronic version required, preferably in PDF format. The file is to be submitted to the Blackboard system.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Thesis Defense

Mode

Oral

Category

Practical/ Demonstration

Weight

5%

Due date

The precise date will be advised in the second semester of enrollment.

Learning outcomes

L01

Task description

Submission guidelines

The defense should be video recorded. The video record may be submitted to the Blackboard, or saved by the supervisor by one year.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply. 

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.  

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.

 Supplementary assessment can take any form, for example, an oral or a written exam. Students who are eligible and approved for a supplementary assessment and the form of assessment is an examination, are expected to be available to sit the supplementary exam during the University’s Deferred and Supplementary examination period. 

Additional assessment information

Artificial Intelligence

The assessment tasks in this course evaluate students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates

Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ – applying for an extension. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with extension requests, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons, may be found at my.UQ.

Please note:

• Requests for an extension to an assessment due date must be submitted through your my.UQ portal and you must provide documentation of your circumstances, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed. Your application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time.
• Applications for extension can take time to be processed so you should continue to work on your assessment item while awaiting a decision. We recommend that you submit any completed work by the due date, and this will be marked if your application is not approved. Should your application be approved, then you will be able to resubmit by the agreed revised due date.
• If an extension is approved, you will be notified via your my.UQ portal and the new date and time for submission provided. It is important that you check the revised date as it may differ from the date that you requested.
• If the basis of the application is a medical condition, applications should be accompanied by a medical certificate dated prior to the assignment due date. If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a written statement (Word document) outlining why you cannot provide the documentation. You must then upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
• If an extension is being sought on the basis of exceptional circumstances, it must be accompanied by supporting documentation (eg. Statutory declaration).
• For extensions based on a SAP you may be granted a maximum of 7 days (if no earlier maximum timeframe applies). See the Extension or Deferral availability section of each assessment for details. Your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, additional extension requests for the assessment item will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
• An extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered, must not exceed four weeks in total. If you are incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, you are advised to apply for Removal of Course.
• If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 14 days, you are advised to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty - seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
• Students may be asked to submit evidence of work completed to date. Lack of adequate progress on your assessment item may result in an extension being denied.
• There are no provisions for exemption from an assessment item within UQ rules. If you are unable to submit an assessment piece then, under special circumstances, you may be granted an exemption, but may be required to submit alternative assessment to ensure all learning outcomes are met.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

The project advisor will give students advice about appropriate sources of information.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.